The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-11-18
Preparing stock for Winter.

Feed in pastures was very short and
water was scarce during large part of
last summer. As consequence many
animals throughout the northwest are
in poor condition. Since the early fall
rains feed has been tolerably abundant,
but of poor quality. Grass that springs
up in the fall in consequence of the
"latter rains" is very succulent and
lacking in substance If cut and cured
it makes but a small amount of hay. 1t
does not receive sufficient heat from
the sun to fully mature the stalks and
foliage. Animals will eat large
amount of this grass, rs it is very ten
der, which will give them plump APP
pearance, but an appearance that is
deceptive. The creatures are not fat,
and their flesh is not firm. If their diet
is suddenly changed to one of straw,
fodder, and hay they will eat but
little of it and will soon begin to fall off
in condition. They will be in poor con-
dtion to resist the cold, and before the
middle of winter they will be likely to
be so thin in flesh and so deficient in
fat as to cause their owners to be solic-
itous in regard to them.
If farm animals are to come out of
winter quarters in good condition they
must go into them in good condition.
In climate like that in the northern
states and territories n gain in weight
and condition during the winter is hard
ly to DO expected; the cold is severe,
The protection is poor, and the period
of confinement very long. Most far
mers rely entirely on hay, straw, corn
fodder, and grain to keep their stock
over the winter. They are all dry, and
animals are likely to become tired of
them long before grass starts in the
spring. Farmers in the northwest who
ra Sc the condition of their stock dur
ing the long and cold winters do so at
large expense. They build costly barns
feed out large amount OF grain that
could be converted into money, and
spend much me in taking care of their
animals. Even then the gain is very
small. If sold by weight the majority
of farm animals would bring more in
the fall than in the spring. Making
beef, mutton pork, or horse-ilesh during
the winter is generally Improbable
The loss from the cOrn-crib and oat-bn
is not made up by the gain In the ami
mails that are fed from them.
When the first snow falls on the grass
IN the pastures all kinds of farm
animals should be in good condition as
respects their supply of flesh and fat.
These will enable them to withstand
the severe cold. and will obviate the
necessity of feeding them large quanti-
ties of grain during the winter. The
present is a most favorable time for
feeding roots and grain to stock. All
Young animals should be taught to eat
dry food before it becomes their con-
slant diet If calves, colts. and lambs
never eat hay TIL they are shut up in
stables they will fall off in condition
before they become accustomed to 1t.
They should have little given to them
each day in the pastures rs soon as
they are weaned. They should
also be taught to eat grass and
cornstalks. The change from green
and tender grass to dry food is likely
10 bring on constipatio on and to lead to
other bad results. The change from
prass TO hav, like that from milk to
grass, is kelly to impair the condition
Of young animals, and if they lose flesh
during the early part oil The winter
there is little prospect that they will
commence to gan till the grass starts
the succeeding spring.
All farm animals should be examined
10 ascertain if they harbor lice or other
vermin before they are shut up in win
Ter quarters. These creatures increase
faster in W inter- than in summer partly
because the thicker coats of animals af-
ford better protection for them. and
partly because there are fewer de-
.iructive agents dur ng the time they
are kept in the stables. The Ice on
cattle and the ticks on sheep pass from
one animal TO another of the same spec
es when they are kept in close con-
tact. II they fall on the floor they
will find their way back when the ami
nal lies down to rest During the sum-
mer there Is much dust flying in the
air. which lodges in the coats of ami
mails and causes lice to loose their hold
On them and to fall of. Animals are
also led by instinct TO roll in the dust
and to throw IL over their bodies. Rea-
,on should lead farmers to scatter fine
lust. pulverized tobacco. or insect pow
Ter over animals that are kept in con-
inement. Almost any kind of soft fat
S valuable for keeping an mails free of
ice 1t may not kill them. but 1t APP
oears TO be distasteful to them. while il